It has been one year since we had the opening of our 18x18 exhibition and we thought it was time to check-in with some of our 18x18 young women on how life is going for them now. Katie from West Auckland was stressed about about not knowing what she would study or if she would go to uni at all, she worked at a toy sex shop and even though it feels like her life has not changed much she has now changed jobs and also applied for Uni, tag along to learn more about what she is up to now.

18×18 was created as an immersive photo exhibition experience, diving into the world of 18, 18-year-old women from all over Auckland. You can see all photos and read her full stories from the exhibition here. 

Tell us what has been one of the highlights from the last year…

Finding a really good job with a much more positive impact on my mental health. Getting into university!! I completed my final year of high school but didn’t achieve NCEA 3 so I’m really proud of myself. 

What have been some of the struggles this year…

Maintaining my physical health. I quit smoking cigarettes in July after 5 years and have started exercising more. 

How, would you say your life has changed the last year?

My life hasn’t changed too much. My close friend's mother died, it was incredibly sad and there was a beautiful funeral. My sister moved back from Canada with a nice boyfriend to escape the clutches of COVID (Quarantine was apparently dreadful).

My partner and I are going into our third year together and I have a lot to be grateful for. My toxic mindset wants there to be more drama so I can paint this incredibly complex picture of my life for you all but everything is actually pretty good. Make sure to check in next year though! Haha

What is your biggest fear for the future at the moment?

My biggest fear for the future is definitely natural disasters. I just rewatched “2012” (don’t watch it if you’re a nail biter like me!!) and honestly if there was a tsunami or earthquake or anything like that I would straight up just immediately die. The movie about my “survival” would be incredibly short!! Other than that I’m pretty relaxed, I’m trying not to stress or fear university for next year and go into it with a positive mindset! 

Reflecting on the 18x18 exhibition, what would you say you got out of it?

Looking back on the 18x18 exhibition, it allowed me to gain confidence in my own voice and know that there were people listening who wanted me to share with them and wanted me to hear their stories too.

Reflecting on the 18x18 exhibition and the purpose of it, to enable young women voices, from all walks of life, what do you think everyone can do to support young women and make sure their voices are getting heard?

What is your plan now and for the next year?

And here are some of the questions we asked one year ago that we want to ask you again…

What was the last thing you googled?

What was the last song you listened to?

If you got 50 dollars to spend, what would you buy?

I would get a bottle of wine and some snacks and go to the beach!

18×18 was created as an immersive photo exhibition experience, diving into the world of 18, 18-year-old girls from all over Auckland. You can see all photos and read her full stories from the exhibition here.